Shock absorber webbing



May 24, 1949. NEFF 2,471,166

SHOCK ABSORBER WEBBING Filed Oct. 16, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet l May 24, 1949. NEFF 2,471,166

SHOCK ABSORBER WEBBING Filed Oct. 16, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill lllllll IILI lllllllllllllllllll ll! llllllllllll llllllll :11 FfMllllllllllllllHllllllllIllIIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIHlllllllvllIII;

"H J w n. Wllllll :Hllllllii glllllillll HIIIHIII" mmllllllll'i May 24, 1949. E. A. NEFF SHOCK ABSORBER WEBBING 4 Shets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 16, 1944 Azza rvz eg Patented May 24, 1949 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE SHOCK ABSORBER WEBBING Edward A. Neif, Chicago, Ill. Application Qctober 16, 1944, Serial No. 558,793

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to shock absorbing Webbing, more particularly to shock absorbing webbing for use in parachutes and it is an object of the invention to provide improved webbing of this character.

Although the invention is not limited thereto, it is particularly applicable to and will be described in connection with parachutes and the like. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made, Without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, to adapt the invention for use on driving belts or webs whenever it is desirable to embody a shock absorbing element in such applications.

It is well known to use parachutes to allow aviators to float to the earth whenever it becomes necessary to abandon their airplane, for example when the airplane has engine or other mechanical trouble, and it is also well known that the user of a parachute experiences considerable shock when the parachute opens particularly after a long fall, and the shock may be so great as to injure the parachute itself. It is extremely desirable that this shock be limited as much as possible.

Increased use of the airplane under conditions making it desirable to train large numbers of pilots, navigators and other aircraft personnel in a relatively short training period has focused attention on the use of the parachute as a safety device. Furthermore, large amounts of equipment are being dropped by parachute and in many instances personnel and equipment are dropped by the same parachute. The increased loads thus carried by the parachute result in an even greater shock when the parachute opens. Injuries to equipment being lowered as well as injuries to the parachute and to the person using it have made paramount the use of a shock absorbing device.

Parachutes include a canopy and suspension lines extending from the canopy to risers which connect the parachute to the harness worn by the user. The risers as well as the harness are made of suitable straps or webbing and the shock of breaking a fall when a parachute opens is taken directly by the risers. It is a further object of the invention to provide improved shock absorbing webbing for the risers of a parachute for limiting to a desirable value the shock caused by the opening of a parachute.

It is of importance in parachutes to keep weight and bulk at a minimum. The size of the aviators cockpit or cabin and consequently the space available for the parachute and its harness are limited.

Furthermore, in order not to disturb the flying characteristics of the airplane so that maneuverability will be maintained, the parachute and its harness must be light in weight. These considerations become of increasing importance in large transport airplanes where each person carried has a large amount of equipment and thus can add very little more. Therefore, it is a further object of the invention to provide shock absorbing webbing oi the character indicated that is compact, light in weight and simple to use.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved shock absorbing parachute.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved shock absorbing device for a parachute.

In carrying out the invention in one form, a shock absorbing device for a parachute is provided having in combination means for connecting the device to a parachute, means for connecting the device to a load to be supported by a parachute, and webbing elongatable in a succession of steps thereby to absorb shock arranged to connect the parachute connecting means and the load connecting means. More particularly, shock absorbing webbing is provided having a first series of warp threads and a second series of warp threads of greater free elongated length than threads of the first series, the first series of warp threads being adapted to break under the shock. A series of weft threads are interwoven with the Warp threads of the first series at spaced points and the warp threads of the second series are bulked adjacent said spaced points to give said greater free elongated length.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference should now be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a parachute embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged schematic representation of a riser of the parachute of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged schematic representation of the riser of Fig. 2 after partial elongation;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged schematic representation of the riser of Fig. 2 after complete elongation;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of a section or webbing embodying the invention before being used;

Fig. 6 is an edge view of the section of webbing shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of the section of webbing of Fig. 5 after being used;

Fig. 8 is an edge view of the section of webbing shown in Fig. 7;

warp threads |2B to give these warp threads a length greater than that of the warp threads I3 and I4.

In group 22, similarly to group 2| the three weft threads 35, 36 and 31, which may be termed binding threads, are woven with simple weaving with the warp threads I3 and I4 only and all of the warp threads I5-20' are above the weft threads 35, 36 and 31. Also similarly to group 2|, group 22 has weft threads 38, 39 and 40 with which are interwoven the warp threads |5-20, the weft threads 38, 39 and 40 being filler threads to bulk the warp threads |520 to give them an increased length over the warp threads I3 and I4. Referring to Fig. 18, it will be seen that the weft threads 29, 30, 3|; 32, 33, 34; 35, 36, 31; and 38, 39 and 40 are part of a continuous weft thread and constitute a repeating section. The warp threads I52I3 are interwoven with the filler threads of the groups of weft threads 23, 24, 25, 26, 21 and 28, as shown in Fig. 10, in a manner similar to that described for the groups 2| and 22, each filler threads of each group passing between a shed formed by separating four warp threads from the remaining two warp threads. The interweaving cf the warp threads I520 with the binding threads of each group 2I-28 of weft threads, as shown in Fig. 10, is such that alternate groups of the binding threads lie on the same side of the webbing adjacent the loop or bulk formed by the filler threads lying within the loop. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the number of threads shown is merely exemplary and that different numbers of filler threads as well as different numbers of binding threads may be used.

Referring again to Figs. 9, 10, 13, 14 and 18, and assuming that the webbing is moving from right to left as shown by the arrow, the webbing is made substantially as follows:

The warp threads I3 and I4 (series A) and the warp threads |5-20 (series B) are fed into a conventional loom under difierent tensions, warp threads I3 and I l which are designed to break under the shock load being under the greater tension in order to allow the warp threads I 5-2|i to be bulked or gathered into loops. In the first position (group 2|. of the weft threads) the warp threads I5-20 are held below the warp threads 5 3 and I4 while a shuttle carrying the weft thread C moves back and forth to interweave the binding weft threads 29, 3|] and 3| with warp threads I3 and it. While the binding weft threads 29, 39 and 3| are being woven the completed webbing is taken up continuously. After the weft thread 3| has been made, the take-up movement of the loom is stopped and the warp threads I3 and I4, which are already interwoven with the weft threads 23, 30 and 3|, are held above the warp threads i'52|3 while the shuttle moves back and forth to place the filler weft threads 32, 33 and 34 in between the warp threads |52|| as shown. Both the filler weft threads and the binding weft threads are beat into position by the slay on the loom.

Since the take-up movement is stopped and the warp threads I5-23 are under a lesser tension than the warp threads I3 and I4, beating the filler weft threads 32, 33 and 34 into place gathers the warp threads |5-20 into loops or bulks below the binding threads. Fig. 15 shows the filler threads 33 and 36 below the warp threads I3 and i4 interwoven with the binding weft threads which also form part ture. The warp threads |5--20 are omitted from of the selvage edge struc- Fig. 15 in order to show the relative position of the weft threads but they extend underthe filler thread 33, between the filler threads 33 and 34 as well as between the filler thread 34 and the binding weft threads to obtainthe bulks for increasing the length of these threads over threads I3 and I4.

After completing thread 35 of group 2|, the warp threads |52 are carried above the warp threads I3 and I4, the take-up mechanism is started again and the binding weft threads 35, 36 and 31 are interwoven only with warp threads I3 and I4 on the underside of the webbing. After completing the thread 3?, the take-up movement is again stopped while the filler threads 38, 39 and 43 are interwoven with the warp threads |5-2|l, a loop being thereby formed on the upper side of the webbing. This process is continued until webbing of the desired length is produced. Figs. 16 and 17 similarly to Fig. 15 omit the warp threads |523 and show the position of the filler threads for forming the loops or bulks in the warp threads I5-28.

The operation of the webbing to produce a shock absorber effect is substantially as follows: Assuming that the Webbing forms part of the riser on a parachute harness and the parachute has opened after a proper length of free falling by a user, there will be an initial shock which is of suflicient magnitude to break the A series threads (|3, |4) at some section .r-a: (Figs. 13 and 14), but not of suiiicient magnitude t break the B series threads (IL-20). The B series threads now move out to their full length at section xa:, but in doing so the E series threads become more compact due to the load being sustained and this tends to move the weft threads 2911 and 32 closer to each other to grip the ends of warp threads I3 and M. The same elongation moves weft threads 33 and 34 closer to the weft threads 38 and 39 effecting further gripping of the warp threads I3 and I4. The gripping action of filler threads 29a and 32 combined with the gripping produced by the binding weft threads 29, 30, 3|; 35, 3B and 3! and, the weft filler threads 33, 34, 38 and 39 is sufficient so that breaking of the warp threads I3 and M will occur at some other section y-y. The B series threads then move out to their full length at section y'(u. Continued checking of the downward velocity of the parachute user results in the A series threads breaking at still some other section with further lengthening out of the B series threads. This process, that is, the elongation of the webbing in a succession of steps each increment of elongation following the checking of the speed by a small amount and consequent breaking of the A series threads at some section, continues until the E series threads are elongated to their full natural length and the force of the shock is thereby absorbed.

The warp threads forming the selvage edge |2 are not bulked as are the B series warp threads but are of natural length and do not take part in the shock absorbing process. The function of the selvage edge warp threads is to provide supporting threads around which to loop the continuous weft thread C in forming the binding and filler weft threads. During the shock absorbing process the selvage edge warp threads elongate and depending on the amount of elongation necessary to produce the desired shock absorption, these threads will also break but since the gripping of the A series threads is effected within the body of the webbing breaking of the selvage edge warp d threadsdoes not affect the shock absorbing proc- I ess.

anal-noes 7 Whileza iparticulamembodimenta is the .intrem-x: tiODJShQSiLbBBDLISh-UWB'Jlit willnbei mnderstoad, 10in; cours uthat the-invention isinot:iimitedatheretozr sinne many modificationsmay: be:made, and it is; a

spaeeddntervals;individual thneadsiof said groups; of vwef-tzthreads being; interwoven :with rthel-i-ndie' vidual threadsof said first series at said intervals; groupsrof said: secondzserieszof :wanp threads dying therefore-:zcontmplated; b the appended: claims: :35 between.saidtransversely;spacedednes:of-saidfirst,-

tozcovemany.suclrmodifications as'ta'll withim $1181: true spirit and scope of the invention.

Having ethusizdescribednthe a inventiongwhatiis claimedinanm'desired-Jto; be": secured rzbyr-rlliettersr Pditentis 211 10?:

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thlkead'siatziongltudinally spaced-intervals, iindi.-.;s-- vidualzthreads ofizsaid: groups of .:weftr.threadsibe-= ingidnterwovenzcwitn.rsaid individual: threads at saidacspaeed aintervals thereby forming; a :matrix; :a;

anmasecon'dseries ofzwarpthreads having reat-e" s emfree; elongated; length than said firstsseriesuofri wampvthreads held. within vsaid: =matrix,i-groups: of; threads of said second series;being-interwoven-:. with. tsaidargroups 110i; weft threadszami; formin'g increased-z length? 1'.

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with intervals.1;thereby:forming a matrix,-:-a second 51 series vaafuivvamyr :threadsihaving. greatemfreeselorra gateddengththamsaid: first seriescoflwarp threadszs heldtwithin saidimatrix, groups ofrthreads ofusaidrz: senond :series lyin'gnbetween;ztransversely spaeedr ones :Ofrs'aidifilishsBlies and-b einginterwovenlwitkm o saidzagroups of Weft: threads; "andxgroupswfiiweft thneadsibetween saidwintervals constituting-tillers; thiiea'dsfiover whioh' said groups :of threads ofcsaidi: second: :seriesiare louiked :toi give said; increased:

loopszadj'acent.saidvspaced: intervals :toz. give saidi 1 series-of:warprthreads ancbinterwovenw-withtrsaid1e. groups; of -Weft: threads, land-vfillersthreads in: bee tweerr said groups of: weft-threadsncooperatingz; only rwiththe warprthreads ofv saidisecondxseries to z n I 'efieirt': bulking .thereof :for:rgiving said. .increasede 51 length).

5. :Shochsabsorben webbing: gompnisingiirr zoom-r: binatioma first series ofzwarp'threadsrindividualsi one otwhich :ara transversely: spaced. frbm-zaeaclr 1 r other; a second seriesaofiwarp threadszoftgreaterx free. .elongateda.lehgtt than: Ithel warp; threadszofizi saidlfirst$erieseand;of:.su1fioient strength to vsup-t: portra shock; .rsaid firstirseriesz' rof: warp rthr eadsza havingaa zlessen number. oft;- tln'eadsuthan said.

secondr serieseandtherehy beingradapted toibneaki's under said shock, groupsrof. weft -threadsfati longl-z; tudi-nally; spaced intervals; individualathreads ofn sa-idrigroupsuofmweft: threadszrloein'g;interwovenn with, the individual .threadstofmsaidrfirst serieseat': Z

.saidrintervals; groupsniof 'saidzcsecond. seriesrxofx warpiasthreads lying rbetweemnsaid transversely spacedwonesrofr said. first seriessofewarp threads; andLbeing. interwoven: witn' saidsgroups of: weft: 3 threads, and filler threadsinbetween said groupsz-a -iOfL" wefti threads cooperating. only; with ithe nwarp threads.v of: said. second :series .to eflect-bulking. e thereofiior givingcsaid increasedlengthi a 6.:Shock' absorber webbing. comprisingin come' 1 binatioma first series ofawarpzthreads individual- I v-oneswof which are transversely spaced from :each other, a second series of warp threads of greaterr: free elongated length' thanv-the warp threads of saidafirst; series and: otsufilcient strength tosup porta'a iShOCk, said-first series of warp threads' 1 being of lesser strength-thansaid-second series and: having a lesser number 'of threads than said second series; thereby being adapted -to break I under :said shock,: groups. of- Weft threadsat=- lon gitudinally spaced :intervals} individual threads length'fiboth "saidt threads: comm; "on said; groups of: weft ithreadsibeingzinterwoven i" tutmgvoontinuationsof: eachothers 3. SShoclc ahsorher.:webbing comprisingiinicomai bihatioma finsteseries :ofz-Warp threadsrindividualzu ones-sofswhicharestransversely :spaeed fromreaclr others-1a seeondwser-iesiof;warpthreads of greatereififi freeselongatecbdength:ztharr zthet warp'xthreadsiofezsaidnfirstrseries; :saidi firsts-series ofsawarnthre'adse being; adaptedaiio brealonnderza shoek;:.gr.oups1 of: weftztmeads: at longitudinally-1'spaceddntenvalsgs.

iI'LdiVidIIBJ JthIIBBHSIOfUSaidvgIiOLlPS'lOf: weftithreazdsefie being interwoven; wit-h atherindividual Ethreads: ofr-i said fil'St-SSBIiESi'Et; saidrjntervals sgronpsxofosaid r seoondlserieszzofawarp threads lyingloetweerr saidm transverselyxspaeedt ones; of said (first; series? 0t 1;

warp threads and :bein'g: interwoven: with 'said oo freer-elongated"length'-fthan th'eiwarpthreads of sa-idifirsvseriesand of-sufiicient' strength to". su v portt'atshock;', saiddirst' series ofrwarpvthreads' bingi offdesserr strength" than :said second" series" and threby-beings adapted :to: break under said with the :individualxthreads 'ofosaidfirst seriesiatr- I said intervals, groups of said-second "series of r- Warp'rthnieads 1 flying a between said: itransversely spaced ones'of saidfirst=seriesiof' Warp threads== "and rbeingsinterwovenwith-said? groups of -weft threads,:.and filler threads in betweensaid groups of weft threads cooperating only ewith the-warp threads ot' said second series to-efiect-bulking thereof for. giving said increaseddength';

'7. A shock absorbendevicefor a parachute eom-' prising elongatable' "webbing including a -firstseries-of warp threads' adapted to break underthe shock bf parachute opening-individual warp threads 'of said fir'st' series being "transversely spaced-from each other; groups of weft threads" at longitudinally spaced "-interva1s,-" individu'ak threadsof said groupsofweft'threads beinginter woven-"with saidindividual' warp threads-at said-- 6 --,spaced-interva1s, and a-secondseries of-warp' threads having greater free elongated length" than saidfirst series of warp threadsjgroups of threads ofsaid *second- "series being interwoven with said: groupsof ;weftthreads' and forming 1 loops'ad-jacent said spaced; intervalsto" giv'e'said increased: length.

EDWARD AnNEFF/ (References: on following page-) P 9 REFERENCES CITED Number The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 2,353,872 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 Number Name Date 369,276 Cumnock Aug. 30, 1887 Number 793,524 Hewett June 27, 1905 78 1,313,037 Adams Aug. 12, 1919 3,286 1,875,445 Hall Sept. 6, 1932 10 122,076 1,935,339 Tricau Nov. 14, 1933 549,953 2,171,626 Dreyfus et a1 Sept. 5, 1939 10 Name Date French June 30, 1942 Tauty June 20, 1944 Brickman July 18, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain 1857 Great Britain 1874 Great Britain Jan. 16, 1919 Great Britain Dec. 15, 1942 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,471,166. May 24, 1949.

EDWARD A. NEFF It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 4, line 7, after the letter B insert of; line 74, for (Figs 11 and 12) read (Figs. 11 and 13) column 5, line 23, for the Word threads read thread column 8,

line 14, for one read ones; and that the said LettersPatent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this S th'd'ay of- November, A. D. 1949.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 

